Year in Review: Top news headlines of 2013

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, also known as a freedom fighter, prisoner, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression, died on Dec. 12. Despite rare public appearances, he held a special place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela, also known as a freedom fighter, prisoner, moral compass and South Africa's symbol of the struggle against racial oppression, died on Dec. 12. Despite rare public appearances, he held a special place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.

The U.S. government began a partial shutdown on October 1, potentially putting up to 1 million workers on unpaid leave, closing national parks and stalling medical research projects. President Obama signed an 11th-hour deal passed by Congress to end the shutdown after 16 days and pull the world's biggest economy back from the edge of a historic debt default.

The U.S. government began a partial shutdown on October 1, potentially putting up to 1 million workers on unpaid leave, closing national parks and stalling medical research projects. President Obama signed an 11th-hour deal passed by Congress to end the shutdown after 16 days and pull the world's biggest economy back from the edge of a historic debt default. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)